9 Delicious Foods That Help Reverse The Signs Of Ageing

As much as we love a potent serum or two, we know that beauty ultimately begins on the inside. That being said, sometimes the inside needs a little assistance.

From what we eat to how much water we consume, our nutritional choices have a very real impact on our appearance, especially when it comes to the signs of ageing. Thankfully, the right foods can make a world of difference.

What Are The Best Anti Ageing Foods?

In order to discover the best foods to reverse the signs of ageing and improve the skin, we consulted anti-ageing nutritionist and nutritional director of Healthista, Rick Hay.

Here, the 9 best anti-ageing foods to add to your diet.

1. Dark Leafy Greens

Image via @communityorganics

When it comes to our leafy salad staples, a good rule of thumb is: the darker the green, the higher the nutrition content, said Hay. An excellent food for glowing skin, dark leafy greens also contain vital nutrients for keeping your eyes young.

"Kale and Spinach are deserving of superfood status. They are filled with potent antioxidants that have been shown to protect your eyesight and essential minerals such as manganese, magnesium, iron and vitamin B2 which are required for the normal functioning of your brain and nervous system," said Hay.

3. Fatty Fish

Equal parts delicious and nutritious, fatty fish is the ultimate anti-ageing all-rounder and may be a food worth adding to your diet if you spend a lot of time in the sun, said Hay.

"Fatty fish, like wild salmon, is a true anti-ageing food. Its long-chain omega-3 fats can protect from heart disease, inflammation and cognitive decline. Studies suggest that they may also protect against sun damage," he explained.

5. Sweet Potatoes

Scrumptious in just about every form, sweet potato (also called 'kumara') is the perfect food to aid in minimising the appearance of saggy or tired skin.

"The orange colour of sweet potatoes comes from beta-carotene, an antioxidant which is converted to vitamin A in the body. It can help restore skin elasticity and contribute to youthful-looking skin," said Hay.

7. Pomegranates

If fine lines or tired skin are on your list of concerns, a little bit of pomegranate might be in order.

"For centuries pomegranates have been used for their medicinal healing properties. They contain a compound called punicalagins, which is said to help preserve collagen in the skin, and therefore slowing signs of ageing," Hay explained.

8. Red Capsicum

One of the biggest threats to youthful skin is the presence of free radicals (think: environmental pollutants and sun damage) as they cause trauma to our skin's DNA, thus speeding up the ageing process. Thankfully, red capsicums are perfectly poised to help fight them off, thanks to their rich antioxidants content.

"Red bell peppers [capsicum] are an antioxidant powerhouse. The antioxidant carotenoid deserves a special mention. It can help protect skin from pollution, environmental toxins and sun damage," Hay said.

"In addition to that, bell peppers are a great source of Vitamin C which stimulates collagen production."

9. Papaya

Want to tackle the escalation of fine lines and wrinkles? Add a healthy dose of papaya to your diet.

"Papaya contains an enzyme called papain and is one of nature's best anti-inflammatory agents, as it provides great anti-ageing benefits. It can help with skin elasticity and minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles," said Hay.